There are no current plans for Prince Charles to take on the role of Prince
Regent, Buckingham Palace have confirmed.

Speculation about the position of The Prince of Wales has mounted since it was announced that he would take his mother’s place at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference later this year.

It was rumoured that the Palace had discussed the Prince – who will also attend the State Opening of Parliament today for the first time in 17 years – taking on the role of Prince Regent as the 87-year-old Monarch cuts back on her duties.

But a spokesperson for the Queen today categorically denied that any discussion of the sort had taken place, adding: “It is just not something we have considered.”

In the past regents have only been created when the monarch is unable to carry out their duties, and the last time was in 1811 when George III was mentally unwell.

Under the Regency Acts the monarch has to be declared incapable, and any move for Prince Charles to take on the role while she is still fit would require a change in law.

A regent acts as the head of the household, but cannot give assent to any Bill for changing the order of succession to the Crown.

After the Queen cancelled her attendance at November’s Commonwealth meeting – for the first time since 1973 - the Palace confirmed that they would be reviewing her long haul flight arrangements.

Despite her hospital stay earlier this year when she was treated for gastroenteritis, she remains in rude health and even went riding at Windsor on Friday, aides insisted.

Her autumn schedule has not yet been published, but it is expected she may make some foreign trips.

“She is fighting fit, it is just long haul travel arrangements that are being looked at,” a spokesman said.

“We are not ruling out long haul travel, she will not be making the trip to Sri Lanka, but it is not inconceivable that she will make long haul trips in the future.”

She may not continue the same pace, and every trip will be considered on its merit, but aides insisted that she is not quitting foreign travel.

The Queen will continue to carry out a busy schedule of public duties, it was confirmed.

Her increasingly careful scheduling does not mean that her 64-year-old son, the longest heir apparent in British history, will be taking on a bigger role as joint head of the royal family, sources added.

“The Prince of Wales has his own busy schedule which he undertakes based upon his own planning through his household,” a spokesman said.

The Queen, whose stamina is legendary, still conducts more than 300 engagements each year.

At the moment she spends roughly three days a week in London or away on official visits and a long weekend at Windsor Castle.

She is accompanied on most trips by her husband, Prince Philip, who is 92 next month and has recently received hospital treatment for both a heart conditions and a recurring bladder infection.

But the travel plans of the Duke of Edinburgh, who has recently returned from Canada, do not dictate the Queen’s diary, sources say.

Younger members of the royal family have been travelling on more official business since the Diamond Jubilee last year when the Queen delegated all her foreign travel.